Climate Change, Energy, and the Politics of 2016

On September 26, 2016, almost 200 students, faculty and members of the public came to hear a lecture by former Congressman Bob Inglis, on Climate Change, Energy and the Politics of 2016. The event took place in the Cook Student Center and was sponsored by Rutgers Climate Institute, Rutgers Energy Institute, Cook Campus Dean, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Department of Human Ecology, SEBS 250, and the Eagleton Institute of Politics.

In September 2016, Inglis was named to the "Politico 50", Politico's guide to the thinkers, doers and visionaries who are transforming American politics in 2016. For his work on climate change, Inglis received the 2015 John F. Kennedy Profil in Courage Award. He appears in the film "Merchants of Doubt" and the Showtime series "YEARS of Living Dangerously."

Congressman Inglis spoke with passion about how conservatives can be part of the solution to climate change. As a member of Congress who served on the House of Representatives Science Committee, he learned first hand about climate change from a trip he took to the Antarctic, as well as spending time with a scientist studying coral reefs on the Great Barrier Reef. He spoke about the importance of message, messengers and momentum and about his take on free enterprise solutions to climate change through a revenue neutral carbon tax on fossil fuels for transportation and electric generation.

In addition to his public lecture, Congressman Inglis met with Rutgers undergraduate and graduate students during visits to several Rutgers classes, as well as over a dinner for 20 Rutgers student leaders and a breakfast with the Rutgers Republicans and Young Americans For Liberty.